Passo Rolle: snowshoe route, mountain landscape and history

Passo Rolle between distinctive peaks and protected areas

Passo Rolle is dominated by the Cimon della Pala, which rises to 3,186 metres. At Passo Rolle, the quartz-bearing porphyries of the Lagorai range meet the bright, towering sedimentary peaks of the Pale di San Martino. The colours of the porphyries range from red to reddish brown and green, creating a striking contrast with the bright peaks.

In the Passo Rolle area, large parts of the Pale di San Martino and Lagorai Orientale Natura 2000 sites can be visited. Above Passo Rolle there is also a high-altitude lake with a marsh and reeds in the municipality of Primiero San Martino di Castrozza. The area belongs to the Paneveggio Pale di San Martino Nature Park and is classified as an integral reserve with the highest level of statutory protection provided for habitats and species.

The two Laghi di Colbricon are of glacial origin. One lake lies at 1,909 metres and the other at 1,922 metres, both near the Rifugio Colbricon. The Val Venegia is crossed by the Rio Travignolo. The path through the Val Venegia opens up wide panoramic views of the Pale di San Martino.

State Road 50 from Predazzo also leads into the Paneveggio Nature Park. Within the nature park, it runs for approximately 15 kilometres to just beyond Passo Rolle. Passo Rolle connects San Martino di Castrozza with the other Dolomite valleys.

Snowshoe routes and hikes

The Passo Rolle–Laghi di Colbricon route is an easy snowshoe hike from Malga Rolle to the lakes. The Passo Rolle–Laghi di Colbricon snowshoe route passes through part of the Paneveggio forest and offers views of the Pale di San Martino and the Lagorai.

The route to the Laghi di Colbricon can be continued as far as San Martino di Castrozza. The walking time is approximately two hours. From San Martino di Castrozza, a scheduled bus takes about 15 minutes to return to the Passo Rolle car park.

The Trekking del Cristo Pensante begins at Baita Segantini. Baita Segantini can be reached comfortably on foot from Passo Rolle via trail marker 710 in approximately 40 minutes to one hour. After crossing an expansive plateau, the path through the Val Venegia leads along wide hairpin bends to Baita Segantini.

The Trekking del Cristo Pensante trail passes through tunnels and military installations from the First World War and reaches the large iron cross and statue of the Thinking Christ. Trenches and positions from the First World War are also still visible along the paths near Passo Rolle.

Historical traces at Baita Segantini and Colbricon

Baita Segantini was built in 1936 by the artist Alfredo Paluselli. Alfredo Paluselli lived in solitude at Baita Segantini for 35 years. Baita Segantini can be reached from Passo Rolle via a 3-kilometre gravel road; in summer, there is also a shuttle bus service.

At the Laghetti del Colbricon, a Mesolithic site provided the first evidence of human presence at high altitude after the Last Glacial Maximum. Five Mesolithic sites have been identified in the Passo Rolle area, including sites near Malga Rolle.

Skiing for experienced skiers

Near Passo Rolle there is a challenging black ski run with significant gradients and a compact snow cover, suitable for experienced skiers.

The Seggiovia Paradiso chairlift at Passo Rolle leads to the ridge of the Tognazza. From the ridge of the Tognazza, the First World War positions on Monte Cavallazza and the Sentiero della Pace to the Laghetti di Colbricon can be reached.

Cycling route through the Val Venegia

The Paneveggio Expert Bike is a panoramic route for experienced cyclists through the Val Venegia to Baita Segantini and Passo Rolle. The route is approximately 22 kilometres long, has around 600 metres of elevation gain and takes about four hours.

Other destinations: Tenna, Rundscheinberg, Castello-Molina Di Fiemme, Penia Di Canazei, Volano, Palai Im Fersental, Gereut

To the overarching travel overview: Trentino-South Tyrol.

More about the destination

Useful information for planning your trip:

Ski holiday in San Martino di Castrozza and at Passo Rolle | Ski holiday information.